Snatch-block



(No Model.)

W. MCBRIDE.

, SNATGH BLOCK. No. 394,499. Patented Dec 11, 1888.

' UNITED STATES PATENT ()EEIcE.

\VILLIAM MCBRIDE, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

SNATCH-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,499, dated December11, 1888.

Application filed August 13, 1888. Serial No. 282,622. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM MCBRIDE, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State ofMaine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSnatch-Blocks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertai 11s to make and use thesame.

My invention relates to snatch-blocks, although it is capable of beingused with other forms of pulley. It is particularly applicable to thatclass of snatch-blocks wherein the cheeks are of unequal length and theswiveled hook is connected with the longer cheek by a hinged or pivotedconnection and to the shorter one by means of a link which is pivoted tothe short cheek and hooks over an arm or projection on the swiveled hookprovided for that purpose. III these snatch-blocks as they have hithertobeen made this link was loosely hinged or pivoted to the short cheek andwhen the hook was turned, accidentally or otherwise, into a certainposition the link was liable to become disconnected, thus causingconsiderable inconvenience.

The object of my invention is to construct such a snatch-block so thatit will be free from liability to become unlatched while in use and willremain always in operative position when once placed therein.

W'ith this end in view I provide the fastening-link, before spoken of,with a suitable spring, which will hold it always in looking position. Ialso hinge or pivot my swiveled hook to the long check of the block, sothat in unlatching it may have a longitudinal motion rather than alateral motion, as heretofore, all as hereinafter shown and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I illustrate a snatch-block which willembody my invention, although I do not wish to limit myself to the exactconstruction here shown.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the snatch-block. Fig.2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged centralvertical section through the upper part of the block, showing certaindetails.

Referring to the drawiu gs, B is the long, and B the short, cheek. F isthe sheave, pivoted on the pin f. These parts are of ordinaryconstruction and require no further description.

The strap C, which holds or incloses the cheek B, extends in a loopabove its upper end, and within this loop is hinged or pivoted the heador block D, which has pivoted to it in the usual manner the swiveledhook A. The free end of the head D is provided with an arm or hook, d,which turns vertically upward, as here shown. The under surface of thehook (Z is curved, so that as the end of the link strikes it it will beself-latching, as hereinafter shown. The strap (1', which supports thecheek B, also forms a loop above the upper end of the cheek B, andwithin this loop is pivoted the link or latch E, the upper end of whichis adapted to engage the hook or arm (Z. I place under the link E aspring, G, as here shown, composed of rubber, which is confined in arecess formed between the two portions of the strap C, and which pressupward against the lower end of the link. This portion of the link ismade with a square or flat shoulder, so that the pressure of the rubberforces it to assume an upright position whichever way it may bedeflected from that position. It is obvious that any other form ofspring may be here used which keeps the link upright or forced towardthe head I).

The operation of my snatch-block is evident from its construction. \Vhenit is desired to insert the rope, the free end of the head D is droppeddown until the link E will pass over the end of the hook (I. The upperend of the link is then pressed outward, allowing the rope to beinserted. hen the link is released, it will spring back to place andplace itself in engagement with the hook (Z. It thus forms anautomatically-closing latch which cannot by any ordinary means becomedisconnected except when it is forced outward for the purpose ofchanging the rope. By pivoting my head D, as here shown, I am enabled todis engage it by dropping it down longitudinally. This may be done muchmore rapidly than by the former way, where the hook must be turned toone side. The block as I now construct it is of strong construction,quickly adjusted, and practically incapable of accidentally becomingdisengaged.

The arm d may be made as a straight stud instead of a hook, as hereshown, as the spring oted to said long cheek soas tomove longiwillalways keep the link engaged. 'tudinally, a hook or arm on the free endof I claimsaid head, a link pivoted to the said short I 5 1. In asnatch-block having along and short cheek and adapted to engage saidarm, and a 5 cheek, the combination of a head pivoted to spring forkeeping said link in engagement the long cheek, an arm or hook on saidhead, with said arm, substantially as shown. a link pivoted to saidshort cheek and adapted In testimony whereof I affix my signature in Ito engage said arm, and a spring for holding presence of two Witnesses.

said link in engagement with said arm, sub- VILLIAM MCBRIDE. Iostantially as shown. Witnesses:

2. In a snatoh-block having a long and a JAS. A. COOK,

short cheek, the combination of a head piv- S. W. BATES.

